Summer Update From The Rabbinic Search Committee

August 30, 2015 Update

Our application was submitted on August 17th and we have begun to receive resumes. More information to come.

August 14, 2015

Shalom,

The Rabbinic Search Committee has remained hard at work during the summer and is pleased to bring this update to the congregation. We are very close to officially submitting our application seeking our next Rabbi to the URJ/CCAR. We are right on track with our schedule!

Late August and September will begin the flow of resumes, and they will continue until after the High Holy Days. The Search Committee will not wait until then but will begin reading resumes and conducting initial due diligence immediately.

The content of our application was developed from significant feedback the Congregational Needs Committee obtained from the more than 150 surveys received from congregants and after much discussion by the Search Committee.

The Committee worked hard to create an application that not only listed the qualities we are seeking in our next rabbi, but one that communicated the essence of Temple Beth David to our future candidates.

We described seeking a rabbi that is an inspirational and effective leader, speaker and motivator; one who has an engaging, approachable personality and is comfortable with congregants of all ages; one who has a respectful, caring and compassionate temperament when dealing with pastoral care as well as day to day Temple life.

We emphasized that we are looking for a rabbi who can lead us into the future by partnering with us to create and execute our vision/strategic plan, to engage and retain new and current families, and to help create greater financial stability. We talked about engaging interfaith families and our youth.

We explained that Temple Beth David has a more than 50 year history with a strong and committed core of members, that many founding and long-term congregants remain actively involved, and that our membership draws from many towns, none of which have a significant Jewish population. We explained that the Temple is a place of connection for us, and that within our community we have built an extended family, one of many generations, many children, honorary aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers and grandparents, and excellent friends.

We highlighted that our community is supportive and a source of strength for members and that we maintain a commitment to lifelong education including a quality religious school and a vibrant adult education program. We discussed our love of music and described ourselves as a “singing congregation”.

These are some highlights from the application. We look forward to receiving resumes in the next stage of the process!

On behalf of the Rabbinic Search Committee, we thank you for your continued support as we continue on our path. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or comments.